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17/12/2025 Planning reforms and the environment, rural churches.

Government has announced changes to speed up planning and streamline environmental schemes. What will they mean for rural communities and the environment?

Village churches are as much a part of our rural landscape as trees and hedgerows. However according to a recent survey by the National Churches Trust, as many as nine hundred of Britain's countryside churches are in danger of closing in the next five years. We visit a church in North Cumbria where the farming community is determined to save it. We also speak to the National Churches Trust about their fears for the future of small rural churches.

There's also discussion of the latest government changes to planning regulations.

Producer: Rebecca Rooney

14 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 17 Dec 202505:45

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